University Choices for Zoology?

Look for unis where you can do a placement year 🙂
Off the top of my head (i considered zoology for ages!) ik Suffolk (the course is called WECS) runs modules at Colchester zoo as part of the course which is cool. Derby, Suffolk, Wolverhampton, Reading, South Wales, Bangor, Harper Adam’s, Oxford Brookes and Southampton all mention strong connections to local zoos on their course pages 🙂

Bristol is excellent - mainly because of proximity of Vet School and Zoo. Also Chester - probably one of the best regarded courses in the UK - Zoology BSc Hons | University of Chester - I'd recommend Aberystwyth and Bangor for Zoology/Conservation.

Bristol is excellent - mainly because of proximity of Vet School and Zoo. Also Chester - probably one of the best regarded courses in the UK - Zoology BSc Hons | University of Chester - I'd recommend Aberystwyth and Bangor for Zoology/Conservation.

Hi there,
If you haven't had a look, I'd recommend checking out the BSc Zoology course we offer at LJMU!
We're professionally accredited by the Royal Society of Biology and have great employer connections, as well as only being about 45 mins away from Chester Zoo
Liverpool is a great place to live for uni, and is basically a student city these days, so I've always felt safe and happy here! It's also quite an affordable city, with plenty of accommodation available (unlike Manchester!) and there is always something to do, despite being quite a small place. As far as support goes too, I've always felt so supported at uni 🙂 They offer so many support services to students, including any support you would require for your autism!
Here is a link to the LJMU support services page so you can see what you can get help with: Student advice and wellbeing | Discover | Liverpool John Moores University
Here is also a link to the Zoology course page, where you can see what modules they offer as well as entry requirements: BSc (Hons) Zoology | Undergraduate course | Liverpool John Moores University
Because you're doing an access course, if you're interested in applying I'd recommend you contact our admissions team and you can chat to them about entry requirements specific to the course you're taking! You can contact them at [email protected]
If you have any further questions, feel free to contact me or another ambassador through this link! Chat to an Undergraduate Student | Study | Liverpool John Moores University
I know that's a lot of links and info but hopefully it's helpful!
Jorja (LJMU Student Rep)

I am in the process of doing my UCAS application and I need to have more than one choice in case I get rejected!
I am applying to do zoology at Bristol as it is within reaonable distance to go home to my family and pets when I need to, there are lots of relevant things in the area (zoo, animal rescues ect.) and the city is nice.
I really wanted to apply to one of the London universities (UCL I think it was) as they have connections to London Zoo, which also has areas for wildlife health and management. But they say they don't accept access courses. I could contact them to find out more, but I doubt there will be much flexibility there.
I've also looked at Manchester university as I think it has connections to Chester Zoo (maybe??) but for some reason I'm really unsure about going to Manchester, it just seems scary! (I don't know why it would be more scary than London?!).
I would like to go somewhere where I can find volunteering (or even work) opporunities at reputable zoos or wildlife organisations. I also have autism so need somewhere that will have support (I know some places are not great for that). But I also want a high quality of education, having attended somewhere in the past on a lower level course (they had university level courses there too) and been hugely disappointed by the quality.
I'm interested to hear peoples' experiences with zoology at various universities. Any experiences you can share would be great!

As you have realised, you are limited by which unis will accept an access course. So can I suggest that your first job is to list them, to narrow down the advice people need to give you (no point in advice about unis that won't accept your qualifications).
A different point is that it is possible to do a placement year at a uni even if it doesn't have an official placement year. I know someone who is doing zoology (at a uni that doesn't have an official placement year) - and currently doing a placement year at Chester Zoo. As a zoologist myself I am very impressed by the range of work experience and training they are getting at CZ. There are several placement posts, some as keepers in the zoo and some in other conservation roles (see the website). However bear in mind that many placement years are voluntary, or paid a stipend, so you may need to save up beforehand, and also that posts are competitive.
Good luck

That's good to hear. I spent two or three hours searching yesterday, looking at different options and the pros/cons of each. I have applied to Bristol, Liverpool and Reading. Keeping fingers crossed for Bristol, but I would also be quite happy with Liverpool. Reading would be good but not as great as the other two. Perhaps they will all reject me! I think the anticipation is going to kill me.😆

I am in the process of doing my UCAS application and I need to have more than one choice in case I get rejected!
I am applying to do zoology at Bristol as it is within reaonable distance to go home to my family and pets when I need to, there are lots of relevant things in the area (zoo, animal rescues ect.) and the city is nice.
I really wanted to apply to one of the London universities (UCL I think it was) as they have connections to London Zoo, which also has areas for wildlife health and management. But they say they don't accept access courses. I could contact them to find out more, but I doubt there will be much flexibility there.
I've also looked at Manchester university as I think it has connections to Chester Zoo (maybe??) but for some reason I'm really unsure about going to Manchester, it just seems scary! (I don't know why it would be more scary than London?!).
I would like to go somewhere where I can find volunteering (or even work) opporunities at reputable zoos or wildlife organisations. I also have autism so need somewhere that will have support (I know some places are not great for that). But I also want a high quality of education, having attended somewhere in the past on a lower level course (they had university level courses there too) and been hugely disappointed by the quality.
I'm interested to hear peoples' experiences with zoology at various universities. Any experiences you can share would be great!